By studying the intellectual background to literature designed for children from the `advice books' of the early eighteenth century to the marketing phenomena of our own time, and by classroom discussion and written work on the set texts, this subject will inform students about a key area for understanding both children and adults' varying attitudes towards them. It will introduce students to the changing institution of children's literature over time, in particular in the Romantic, Victorian, Edwardian and late twentieth century periods. Topics to be addressed will include picture books, fairy tales, animal stories, `colonial' literature for children, children's verse, `realistic' fiction for young adults and the publishing megastars of the modern era, including Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl and J.K. Rowling.